11 Middlemarch
would rather do without something for ourselves, to make
some amends to my poor brother’s family.’
Mrs. Bulstrode did not wish to go nearer to the facts
than in the phrase ‘make some amends;’ knowing that her
husband must understand her. He had a particular rea-
son, which she was not aware of, for wincing under her
suggestion. He hesitated before he said—
‘It is not possible to carry out your wish in the way you
propose, my dear. Mr. Lydgate has virtually rejected any
further service from me. He has returned the thousand
pounds which I lent him. Mrs. Casaubon advanced him the
sum for that purpose. Here is his letter.’
The letter seemed to cut Mrs. Bulstrode severely. The
mention of Mrs. Casaubon’s loan seemed a reflection of that
public feeling which held it a matter of course that every one
would avoid a connection with her husband. She was silent
for some time; and the tears fell one after the other, her chin
trembling as she wiped them away. Bulstrode, sitting oppo-
site to her, ached at the sight of that grief-worn face, which
two months before had been bright and blooming. It had
aged to keep sad company with his own withered features.
Urged into some effort at comforting her, he said—
‘There is another means, Harriet, by which I might do a
service to your brother’s family, if you like to act in it. And it
would, I think, be beneficial to you: it would be an advanta-
geous way of managing the land which I mean to be yours.’
She looked attentive.
‘Garth once thought of undertaking the management of
Stone Court in order to place your nephew Fred there. The